Replacing Keane ‘like trying to find new Pelé’, say United

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DOUBTLESS recalling how his powers briefly deserted him after making the mistake of announcing his retirement plans prematurely four years ago, Sir Alex Ferguson opined last spring that the right time for an ageing player to decide when to sever his ties with a club was in the summer months, the only point in the football calendar when it is possible to determine whether the batteries are gone or are simply in need of recharging.

The player in question was Alan Shearer, who had just declared that he would not be hanging up his boots at Newcastle United after all,